Southern California's wettest Christmas season in years has left communities grappling with mudslides and debris flows, as a series of powerful winter storms drenched the region this week. While rains eased around Los Angeles on December 27, 2025, authorities warn of continued flood risks along saturated hillsides and coastal areas.
Los Angeles County firefighters conducted more than 100 rescues during Thursday night's peak flooding, including dramatic helicopter extractions of motorists trapped in rising waters. National Weather Service forecasts indicate persistent threats of flash flooding through the weekend, particularly in burn scar areas from recent wildfires.
The storms' timing during peak holiday travel created additional challenges, with major highways temporarily closed due to debris flows. Emergency management officials emphasize that residents should remain alert despite improving weather conditions, as unstable soil conditions could trigger new mudslides.
